The Acropolis Museum unveiled its new museum beneath the museum, with Greece’s Minister of Culture making the case that it is an irrefutable sign that it is ready to house the Parthenon Sculptures.
The new “Museum beneath the Museum” was opened to the public on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, as reported by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).
It offers visitors significantly enhanced opportunities for understanding and interpreting the material remains and history of an entire neighbourhood of Ancient Athens.
The new museum was discovered during excavations conducted in the area for the construction of the “Museum” and the “Acropolis” Metro Station of Athens.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni expressed immense pride for the development of the project and, more broadly, the massive global reputation the Acropolis Museum has cultivated for itself over the years.
Mendoni addressed the campaign for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, arguing that the developments of the Acropolis Museum in the past 15 years proves the country is fit to look after them.
“With the establishment, construction and the operation of the Acropolis Museum, our country has refuted the sole – in the past – true and strong argument of the British that Greece lacked suitable and worthy hosting infrastructure,” she said.
“For decades, we have been implementing an exemplary and model project of conservation, restoration and re-erection of all the monuments of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon.”
Mendoni concluded by stressing the museum now “constitutes the optimal physical and conceptual framework for the display, interpretation, and understanding of these masterpieces”.
